Fans are pointing out the action-packed Wakanda-set finale in Avengers: Infinity War borrows heavily from Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace.
Videos by ComicBook.com
The first Star Wars prequel concludes with an epic battle in grassy fields that sees the Gungans engage in warfare against Trade Federation battle droids on Naboo, while Infinity War sees half of Earth’s mightiest heroes teamed with the sprawling Wakandan army as they square off against the nondescript Outriders — an alien army who invade beneath a sky-high blue shield.
Both blockbusters have the opposing sides separated at first by a blue force field before engaging in combat, the war acting as a diversion from a more important plot point in the city: in Phantom Menace, a small team within the royal palace aims to keep the invaders from the city and thwart the plans of Trade Federation viceroy Note Gunray.
In Infinity War, Wakandan princess and genius inventor Shuri must find a way to remove the Mind Stone embedded within the head of synthetic android Vision — the last Infinity Stone needed to grant alien warlord Thanos unimaginable power.
Outside the palace walls, Black Panther and allies unite forces with Captain America, Bucky, Black Widow, Falcon, War Machine, and Bruce Banner (suited up in the massive Hulkbuster armor) to hold off the alien army in an attempt to keep them from reaching the palace — where the fate of the entire galaxy is on the line.
Twitter user @xanderflicks cheekily pointed out many of the similarities, with receipts, comparing Thanos herald Ebony Maw to Darth Maul, as they are both “strange looking enemies” who stab a wizard (Qui-gon Jinn and Doctor Strange).
Both films also see a young boy taking on a circular ship in the sky: in Phantom Menace, it’s young budding pilot Anakin Skywalker. In Infinity War, teenage superhero Spider-Man tangles with a donut-shaped spaceship of his own when he hitches a ride on Thanos’ Q-Ship.
Slide 1
how did disney think stans wouldn’t notice the obvious comparisons with the phantom menace. the first of which, being a wizard being stabbed by a strange looking enemy. nice try, feige. pic.twitter.com/KK5MfLBvw4
— Xander Arnot ? (@xanderflicks) May 5, 2018
the next disgustingly blatant similarity is the battle in wakanda vs the battle of naboo. advanced shields/weaponry carried by the natives, vs a faceless army. NOT TO MENTION THE SHIELD. pic.twitter.com/YOEycBtr81
— Xander Arnot ? (@xanderflicks) May 5, 2018
Slide 2
wow, it’s as if they thought we weren’t paying attention. a young boy takes on a circular ship in the sky. WOW. REAL ORIGINAL. pic.twitter.com/OixlE8MumT
— Xander Arnot ? (@xanderflicks) May 5, 2018
oh and don’t think i forgot this one. you can only hide such a compelling and hidden love story so well. tsk tsk pic.twitter.com/Z9j9huLwQC
— Xander Arnot ? (@xanderflicks) May 5, 2018
Slide 3
THE PHANTOM MENACE (1999)
— Roman Petrov (@comrade1138) May 1, 2018
AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR (2018) pic.twitter.com/FxvLuIgJOn
— Roman Petrov (@comrade1138) May 1, 2018
Slide 4
Infinity War (2018)
— sekhmet (@mvrssv) May 4, 2018
Battle on Wakanda pic.twitter.com/7YqF8eUdik
Slide 5
infinity war is a worse version of star wars the phantom menace change my mind
— Biggest Rocket/Warrior Fan Ever Zachary Evans (@zankdabootytank) May 2, 2018
Infinity war ripped that whole battle sequence off of star wars The Phantom Menace
— Tom Lorch (@tom_has_flow) May 5, 2018
Slide 6
Is it okay to talk about how the Wakandan fight scene in #InfinityWar is a carbon copy of the Battle of Naboo in The Phantom Menace yet
— Brendan Buffa (@bbuffa_WMU) May 8, 2018
movies to watch right before #Infinitywar
— JR Oldham (@vieuxjambon) April 30, 2018
1. The Phantom Menace
2. Attack of the Clones
3. Revenge of the Sith
Slide 7
Infinity war thoughts:
— bigjazzboy (@bendoesnot) May 4, 2018
Genuinely surprised it wasnt split into two movie
Lots of parallels in the final third to the Phantom Menace
Very dissapointed in the absence of Milo Thatch
The Phantom Menace parallels in Infinity War are a sequel to the Phantom Menace parallels in Black Panther
— Colin Piper (@ColinPiper28) May 4, 2018
Slide 8
Hot take: the end battle of Infinity War was based off of the main battle of The Phantom Menace.
— Steve (@stoddard_s) May 5, 2018
#SpoilerAlert I like the nod to the Battle of Naboo from Phantom Menace in that Wakanda battle scene in Infinity War.
— Jez Tuya (@jez_tuya) May 6, 2018
Avengers: Infinity War is now playing.
Most Viewed
-
Image courtesy of Marvel Television
